Drug Name

Celexa (Citalopram)

Drug Uses

Celexa treats depression. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How Taken

Use Celexa as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Celexa comes with an additional patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Celexa refilled.
• Celexa may be taken with or without food.
• You may notice improvement in your depression in 1 to 4 weeks. Continue to take your medicine as directed even when depression improves.
• If it is necessary to stop Celexa , your doctor will need to reduce the dosage over a few days to a week.
• Do not miss any doses.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Celexa is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It helps to restore the brain's chemical balance by increasing the supply of serotonin, which helps improve mood.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Celexa, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store at the room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Keep out of the reach of children.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Celexa if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Celexa;
• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) or St. John's wort within the last 14 days;
• you are taking astemizole, pimozide, dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), sibutramine, or terfenadine.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Important:

• Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Celexa.
• Using Celexa alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• If you experience a worsening of your symptoms (anxiety, agitation, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, or suicidal thinking) contact your doctor immediately.
• Celexa will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Additional monitoring of your condition is recommended at the start of treatment with Celexa and whenever a change in your dose is made.
• Lab tests may be performed to monitor your progress. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. Celexa is not recommended for use in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Celexa has been shown to cause harm to the human fetus. If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Celexa during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor about gradually decreasing your dose during the last trimester of pregnancy. Celexa is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Celexa.

Possible Side Effects

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• change in taste; decreased menstrual flow or painful periods; diarrhea; dry mouth; ejaculation disorder; impotence; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; runny nose; sinus inflammation; tiredness; tremor; upset stomach; weight loss or gain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); anxiety; cold sweat; confusion; dizziness; fatigue; hostility; impulsiveness; irritability; lack of concern; mania; mental/mood changes; panic attacks; restlessness; seizures; shakiness; sleeplessness; sore throat or fever; suicidal thoughts or behaviors; vision changes; worsening of depression.

More Information

Celexa is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.